Passing On A Two-Lane Road
No matter where you go there will always be someone who is not driving with the same enthusiasm as you. When you find yourself behind one of these pokes on a two-lane road, you are faced with three options.
• Option 1 – stay a safe distance behind the vehicle and don’t worry be happy.
• Option 2 – when its safe to do so, pass the vehicle.
• Option 3 – pull over and get something to eat.
You will most often choose Option 1., this being the case, use the following tips to make this action as safe for you as well as for them.
• First, make sure it is safe to pass. Can you see ahead of the car you want to pass? Perhaps there is a reason they are driving slower.
• Second, do you have the lane markings to permit passing. You will require a broken yellow line to pass legally. These are called “passing zones”. If the yellow line is solid then you are in a “no passing zone”. Pretty simple.
• No passing zones are areas where visibility is limited. You will find them on curves, hills, approaching an intersection or a bridge. Make sure no one is trying to pass you. Maybe you’re not driving with the same enthusiasm as the guy behind you.
• When its safe, use your left signal. This alerts the driver in front of you that you are passing. Don’t run up behind the car and make a sudden move to pass. The more room you have to see the better, especially if you are passing a truck or another car pulling a trailer.
• When you have completed your pass signal a lane change to the right. Don’t move back over until you can see the front tires of the vehicle you just passed in your mirror.
• Passing is a very legal thing however if you exceed the posted speed limit while passing, you could be ticketed.
• If you are being passed, make it safe and easy for the one passing you.